Thursday, January 30, 2020

Anjaneri Hill | Things You Need To Know About Night Trek


Anjaneri hill, birth place of lord hanuman

ANJANERI HILL | THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NIGHT TREK 

ABOUT ANJANERI HILL


Anjaneri hill is one of the place in the mountain range of Nashik-Trambakeshwar, and it is known as birth place of Lord Hanuman. It is located at 20 km distance from Trambakeshwar Nashik that lies at 4200 feet height. 108 Jain caves found here which belongs to 11th and 12th century. The area around Anjaneri once ruled by Veersen Ahir for brief period of time. It has become one of breathe taking tourist spot for traveler. The views from top will memorized from European country. It is one of the best attraction of Nashik city in Maharashtra region. Anjaneri the name came after Lord Hanuman’s mother Anjani.

HOW TO REACH ANJANERI HILL 


BY AIR

Nearest airport is Mumbai International airport and Shirdi domestic airport. One can hire self-drive car or can travel via bus.

BY ROAD

Anjaneri is well accessible by road. Distance from Mumbai to Anjaneri is 165 km, Pune to Anjaneri is 240 km and from Nashik it is 30 km.
Regular buses available to reach Nashik from various cities like Mumbai and Pune which is further connected to other states of India. Share cabs are also a option from Mumbai to Nashik.
After reaching Nashik, MSRTC buses available from central bus stand Nashik to reach Anjaneri phata. (Ticket varies between 30 to 50 INR).

BY TRAIN

Nashik is nearest trunk rail route from Mumbai, Pune and other states. There are some express trains that halts at Nashik. After walk of 5 minute from station Central bus stand lies on right. Cabs and auto-rickshaws are available from Nashik station to Anjaneri phata.

NIGHT TREK TO ANJANERI HILL

So starting with my story Anjaneri Hill was in the bucket list of must visit places from Maharashtra and already heard so much about this place. Photos of this place attracted me so much. This was going to be my second trek from Nashik region. First was Harihar fort and now the Anjaneri. I along with my two friends made plan to trek this mountain in Nashik, and left on Saturday night as decided. I was so excited to reach there. As decided we caught an express train from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai on Saturday night at 11:15pm. Being sudden plan we couldn't book ticket before but being desire to travel we still managed to reach there in general compartment of train as it was just 3 hours journey from Mumbai. We reached Nashik road station at around 2:30 am midnight. It was surprise to see bit crowd outside of station, though it was night time. We went to one of this small tapari and had tea with bun maska since it was so cold in night. We had no idea about buses service at midnight, nor any idea about trek but yea we believe the best of journeys are the ones that are unplanned. With this thought we decided to take help of local people to reach our destination. They helped us to reach our destination. We caught the bus as guided by them from Nashik bus stand towards Trambak road and got down at Anjaneri phata. It was only 20km distance to reach Anjaneri phata from Nashik bus stand. Once you reach Anjaneri phata from Nashik, Anjaneri Hill lies on left side. There is marking on main road at left side towards Hill. Our eyes were swollen a bit due to lack of sleep in traveling, but yes it was desire that told us to ignore this small pain.


Anjaneri hill
MARKING AT ANJANERI VILLAGE MAIN ROAD TOWARDS TRAMBAK

We started walk towards our destination and started moving further to reach base village in night which is starting point of trek. Trekking in the night along with shining stars in the sky looks so amazing. The real beauty of the place can be seen when there is no electricity and bonfire around as the place is dimly visible with the light of moon. Walk in the night gives you adventurous experience and story to tell. Trekking in the dark under moon light with sounds of fireflies is what life is all about. As we started moving towards our destination our calories was regaining from the environment. It was so cold at base village. After walk of 20 minute we reached the base village that welcomes the traveller to Anjaneri. The name of village comes from mata Anjani (Mother of Lord Hanuman).
We had a break of 15 minutes before we start further to the trail. Being a night there was no option of food availability apart from what we had in our bag-pack. Our bag-pack had some snacks and energy bar that helped us to maintain energy throughout the trek.

Anjaneri hill, Anjaneri village
ENTRANCE GATE AT VILLAGE ANJANERI
After small break we started trekking towards main entrance of Anjaneri Hill where starting trail is simple as it is just walk through vast surface that takes you to steep stairs point which is starting path of trek. Before starting of this steep stairs there is small canteen which is open in day time. To reach here the distance was not less than half hour from Anjaneri village that goes through small pinnacles mountain and it is named as 'Navra' and 'Navri'.
Anjaneri hill, night trek to anjaneri
STAIRS ROUTE TO TOWARDS HILL TOP
It is said that never miss the sunrise and sunset from the top of mountain. We wanted to witness the charming beauty of sunrise. We started putting pressure on legs to move bit faster. After crossing the initial stairs there is narrow path with full of stones on right side and valley on left side that looks so dangerous. At one side there is lush greeneries, but we could witnessed it in morning while descending. There was no viewpoints in night.

After crossing small rocky patch there is another long trail with one feet stairs. On this rocky path of the mountain there is small caves on left side. Entrance of this caves was so narrow with steep small stairs to enter inside. One has to be careful while entering in the caves due to narrow road. The road to the caves was with only stairs that looks like zig zag path. At night we couldn't witness the picture due to no light.
Anjaneri hill, Anjaneri caves
CAVES ENTRY
After the trek of 1.5 Hours we reached at first check point of temple which is Anjani mata (Mother of Lord Hanuman). There is another small huts that sells some snacks in day time. This is the only temple of Anjani mata in the world. You may find Lord Hanumans childhoods statue with mata Anjani. After break of 10 minute we started trekking towards summit. After walk for another 20 min there is one lake which is of foot shape. This lake was clearly visible from top of the mountain. This is historical Lake, It is said that Lord Hanuman has kept his foot on this surface, then after it became foot shape Lake. This place is known for Hanuman foot print in Nashik.
Anjaneri hill, Anjaneri lake
NIGHT VIEW OF THE LAKE



Anjaneri hill, Anjani mata temple
MATA ANJANI TEMPLE-THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD

Anjaneri hill, Foot shape lake of lord hanuman
FOOT SHAPE OF LORD HANUMAN

Our distance towards peak was not more than half hour. The sky started turning into pink which was the indication of sunrise. This is the time when everyone dreams about while hiking on Mountain. The colourful view of the sky was engaging me to get busy with those views. It was not possible for us to move further without clicking multi-coloured sky. We halted for some time to feel what our desired is for and what brought us here from long mile;
Anjaneri hill

Anjaneri hill, sunrise
SUNRISE AT ANJANERI
Anjaneri hill sunrise
SUNRISE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF ANJANERI MOUNTAIN
As I started reaching on top more nature hugs was coming towards me. The scene was mesmerizing and helped me to regain all lost energy. At last we reached on summit where we got so touched up with sweet morning air and breath taking view of surrounding from height, and how this cloud floats. We captured some of the breath taking views in cam.


After witnessing such an amazing beauty we moved further to see temple of Lord Hanuman. This peak was the end point of this trek where Lord Hanuman temple is situated. At top there is vast surface and there is one small canteen next to temple where you may get some biscuits, cheeps, tea and water. We took rest for almost 2-3 hours to enjoy the scenic beauty of Lord Hanuman’s birth place and enjoyed our morning breakfast with tea and biscuits. One of my group mate slept there as he was tired and never done such adventurous night trek before. There are many youngsters which introduced themselves in to the art of trekking at young age. Life time moment happens when you are on top of the Mountain.
Lord hanuman birth place
LORD HANUMAN TEMPLE AT SUMMIT

      
 "Everyone wants to stay on Mountain but happiness comes from climbing it to the peak"


I took my shoes off and sat for some time, and there, my other group mate gives the call from back of the temple and trust me it felt so amazing to witness the epic beauty with surrounding mountains and got engaged to click pretty photos of nearby Hills. 360 view of Nashik Mountains was simply astonishing. While ascending we could not click much of the photos so we descend slowly with memories to take back. If you want to know what is the Mountain desire is about? Then you must visit this trek as it is easy for beginners also.
Anjaneri hill
360 DEGREE VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT


To descend down from any trek is easy as you know Gravity! Being no time boundaries we had enough time to take more memories with us. It took us two hours to reach at base village. While in return journey we preferred to take direct bus to Mumbai which made our traveling smooth.
Anjaneri hill

Anjaneri hill
SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN VIEW

Anjaneri hill, trekking route
FEW STUDENTS ARE CLIMBING UP WHERE WE ARE DESCENDING DOWN

Anjaneri hill
ANJANERI TREK MEMORIES

TOTAL EXPENSES FOR ANJANERI HILL TREK

General compartment train ticket from Mumbai to Nashik road- 65 INR
Nashik railway station to Anjaneri village- 80 INR (both ways)
Lunch at Nashik-140 INR
Nashik to Mumbai bus fare-200 INR
We had our own snacks and enough water in bag-pack

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT ANJANERI HILL

Anjaneri is one of the crowded and famous place from Nashik city.
Most of the tourist visits throughout the year.
Ideal time is monsoon and post monsoon October to February to view the greenery and at some extent waterfalls.
Trekking in night is completely safe.

WHERE TO STAY AT ANJANERI HILL

Being a local village there are no stay option at Anjaneri village.
Nashik city is on the distance of 20 km from Anjaneri village. There are number of hotels and resorts available where price varies as per deluxe to normal room.
Camping is allowed with own camping essentials.

WHAT TO EAT NEAR ANJANERI HILL

Traditional food is available at any restaurant and they also serve veg and non-veg food.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR ANJANERI HILL

  • TRAMBAKESHWAR SHIVA TEMPLE
  • GODAVARI RIVER
  • KALA RAM MANDIR
  • SULA VINEYARDS
  • GUMPHA PANCHAVATI

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT ANJANERI HILL

  •   It is easy trek for beginners.
  •  Enough space is available to pitch own tent. 
  •   Carry extra water and some energy bars as there are       limited   huts available on the way. 
  •    Carry proper hiking shoes as trail involves rocky surface.     Try to avoid visiting this place in day time of summer due to more heat.
  •      Do not litter the place.

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